Missing the Wildwaves [Province Series #01] ✓

05

Time slips through unnoticed when happiness blankets the days.

Twelve days had passed—days filled with laughter, shared meals, and the thrill of preparing for Noche Buena.

Tonight, everyone moved around the kitchen, the warmth of the stove mixing with the crisp holiday air. Pots simmered, ingredients sizzled, and festive chatter filled the space like an orchestra of celebration.

"Ang init," Ethan groaned, waving his hand near the grill.

I laughed. "It's your fault, ikaw ang nag-volunteer na mag-ihaw."

"Ako nalang ang mag-ihaw, magaling ako jan," he said confidently, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Tita Ali snorted. "Jusko, magaling? Sa pagkaka-alam ko, ngayon mo pa lang itatry ang pag-iihaw."

Ethan made a face. "Pasikat kasi," I teased, shaking my head.

He huffed, determination flaring. "What? Magaling naman ako mag-ihaw, ah."

I smirked. Kung hindi pa nga sasabihin sa kaniya na tanggalin na sa ihawan, baka tupok na ang niluluto niya.

"Okay, sabi ng boyfriend ko, eh." I stood, grabbing a towel before wiping his sweat. "Naka t-shirt pa kasi," I muttered, lifting the fabric slightly to dab at his back.

A low chuckle escaped him. "Should I take off my t-shirt?"

The small grin on his lips made my stomach flip.

"Oo, ang init na nga kasi tapos nag t-shirt kapa."

Without hesitation, he peeled off his shirt.

And just like that, my gaze betrayed me.

One, two, three, four, five, six—six muscles.

I stiffened, heat creeping onto my cheeks.

Ethan laughed, clearly noticing my reaction.

"Ano ba!? Mag damit ka nga!" I protested, attempting to pry his arm off me as he pulled me closer.

"Bakit naman? Sabi mo dapat tanggalin ko ang damit ko dahil mainit," he said slyly, guiding my hand toward his well-defined abs.

Pambihira, gusto ata ako patayin nito.

His voice dropped to a teasing whisper. "Don't worry, love. Palagi mo na itong mahahawakan kapag magkasama tayo."

I yanked my hand away before lightly smacking his arm. "Masusunog na ang iniihaw mo! Masyado kang maharot!"

He only laughed, turning back to the grill while I slipped away to help with other preparations.

Despite the exhaustion, the joy remained. Ganito ata talaga kapag kompleto kayo—kasama ang pamilya, at ang boyfriend mo.

"Ate, tumatawag si Mama."

Levi's voice brought me back to reality.

I exhaled sharply before walking toward him. "Hi anak, advance Merry Christmas," Mama greeted, her smile wide across the screen.

I nodded. "Sainyo din po."

She hesitated. "Lahari, anak, can we talk?"

I nodded again, borrowing Levi's laptop before stepping into my room.

A part of me already knew where this conversation was headed. If she was calling to ask me to accept her new husband, this might be the first time I lose my restraint.

Resentment swirled quietly within me. She left us here. She chose another life—one that didn't include us.

I still longed for a mother. For her love. For something more than video calls and promises stretched across borders.

"Anak, ano ang nakita kong post mo sa Instagram? Who is that man?" Her tone feigned concern.

"Boyfriend ko po," I answered, keeping my words respectful despite my frustration.

Mama clicked her tongue. "Bata ka pa, hindi mo naman kailangan magkaroon ng boyfriend. Darating iyan sa tamang panahon. Huwag mo akong gayahin—nag-asawa ng maaga, kaya ayun, naloko."

Her words struck something raw.

I inhaled slowly. "Ma, kung ito po ang pag-uusapan natin, i-end ko nalang po ang video call. Iba-iba po ang klase ng tao and don't make me look like you."

A sharp scoff followed. "Sige, tignan natin. Magaling ka na sumagot ngayon. Ano, kaya mo na ba ang sarili mo?"

My patience frayed. "Ma, ayaw ko po makipagtalo. Ayaw ko pong masira ang gabi ko."

Behind her, shadows of her new life flickered. A man. A child—a sibling I barely knew.

"Paalam na po."

With that, I ended the call.

My chest tightened, emotions tangling into a knot too complex to unravel tonight.

A soft knock at my door.

"Love?"

I sighed, opening it to find Ethan standing there.

"Tapos na akong mag-ihaw," he said gently.

I forced a small smile. Wala na, sira na ang mood ko.

I preferred solitude in times like these—when bitterness threatened to spill.

Ethan's brows furrowed. "You okay, hmm?"

His arms wrapped around my side, warmth grounding me.

"Oo, okay lang ako," I murmured.

He didn't buy it. But instead of prying, he simply whispered, "I love you," before kissing my forehead.

The irritation dulled slightly.

A soft smile tugged at my lips. "Matulog muna tayo—"

"Ate, ang laptop ko po?" Levi walked in, looking expectantly at me.

"Anjan sa vanity—"

"Okay. Sleep din muna ako dito."

I sighed. No use arguing. Levi climbed onto the bed beside me, and just like that, I was once again sandwiched between two insufferably clingy boys.

Ethan's arm curled around my waist from behind.

At least this felt comforting.

Ethan's voice pulled me from sleep.

"Lahari, wake up. Countdown na."

I bolted upright. "Bakit ngayon mo lang ako ginising?!" I yelped before scrambling out of the room.

"Five, four, three,"

Excited voices echoed through the house.

Ethan's arms snaked around me from behind.

"Merry Christmas, mahal."

A pause. I turned to face him.

"Merry Christmas," I whispered back.

His lips curled into a soft smile before pulling me into a tight embrace.

I reveled in the warmth—the way his hold felt secure, the way his forehead kisses lingered a little longer than necessary.

And that terrified me.

I wanted to bury these tiny feelings before they bloomed into something dangerous. What if he left? What if this was temporary?

I had been reckless—stepping into a relationship built on curiosity rather than certainty.

But what could I do now?

I exhaled quietly, swallowing my doubts.

If the day comes when he leaves, I'll accept it.

For now, I let myself enjoy the illusion of certainty.